Agenda item

The Panel is invited to comment on the Corporate Performance Report Quarter 3 2024/25.

Executive Councillors: S Ferguson and L Davenport-Ray

By means of a report by the Performance Co-ordinator and the Business Performance and Insights Team Leader (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Corporate Performance Quarter 3 2024/25 Report was presented to the Panel.

In response to a question from Councillor Jennings, the Panel heard that detail would be sought and brought back to the Panel on the numbers of DFG applications made and the number granted, along with confirming the internal escalation process for this. The Executive Councillor shared the Panel’s frustrations at the processes involved and reassured that conversations were ongoing with Places for People to ensure maximum efficiencies and positives outcomes be achieved for residents.

It was confirmed to the Panel, following questions from Councillor Pitt and Councillor Chapman that the upgrades to pathways in St Neots had been carried out in Regatta Meadows and not Riverside Park as stated within the report. The Panel were further assured that further funding streams were being investigated in order to progress the upgrades for the Riverside Park.

The Panel heard, in response to a question from Councillor Corney, that the Enforcement and Operations Teams were extremely efficient at dealing with fly tips reported to the Council and were assured that prosecutions were made where possible. It was noted that this was a new measure within the report but that the increase in reported incidents within December were unlikely to be linked to the introduction of subscriptions for green bins due to the seasonality of that service.

Following an observation from Councillor Chapman that bin collections had been severely impacted within St Neots due to road closures by the County Council, and querying whether this was the reason which PI21 was at red status, the Panel heard that detail would be sought and brought back to the Panel. In response to a further question on missed bins from Councillor Jennings, the Panel heard that the figures for missed bins were achieved through a combination of in-cab data and resident reports, and that full detail on the metrics behind PI21 would be provided to the Panel at a later date.

Councillor Pickering expressed concern that the amber status of PI34 was being reported within the Council’s performance metrics but that the delays were outside of the Council’s control. The Panel heard that this was a CPCA project which would help fulfil an identified needs for further education provision in St Neots and that the project was included within the report as it aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan values.

The Panel heard that an update on the progress of the Electrical Vehicle charging report would be provided following an enquiry by Councillor Pitt.

In response to a question from Councillor Pickering, the Panel heard that the workshops and meetings reference in Outcome 5 of the report, were local and national events, including UK REEF, attended by Officers and Executive Councillors to promote Huntingdonshire as a destination for business investment. The Panel further heard that the Economic Development team monitored the response from these events and measured the resulting success. It was noted, following a question from Councillor Terry, relating to progress on parking enforcement, that the Council had been in touch with the districts 3 MPs and that they were supportive to the Council and sympathetic to the current nationwide delays to the project.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report.